[Intestinal infarct in a geriatric patient].
METHODS
After reviewing the literature on the subject, the authors analysed the patients suffering from intestinal infarction selected from those examined between 1-1-1985 and 31-12-1995. It was found that out of 11,500 patients only 9 (0.07%) suffered from this pathology.


RESULTS
The authors found that geriatrics (between 65 and 74 years old) were most commonly affected by this pathology, with a majority of females (55.35%) and that the most frequently associated pathologies were cardiopathies. Medical treatment and surgery were used (depending on the results of the various tests). Of these patients only 3 (33.32%) were treated medically, whereas the remainder underwent surgery using different techniques in each case. Excision of the thrombus was performed in 22.23% with the partial resection of the intestine in 44.45%. The quality of life in operated patients was reasonably satisfactory. Those undergoing excision of the thrombus enjoyed 100% wellbeing compared to only 25% of those undergoing partial intestinal resection. Those receiving medical treatment all died. The most frequent complications were short intestine (11.11%) and wound infection with possible dehiscence.


CONCLUSIONS
The authors conclude by highlighting the gravity of the pathology from a diagnostic and therapeutic point of view and by underlining that the quality of life in general of operated patients was good in 33.34% of those living, with Karnofsky's Index of 100 in 22.23%.
Pannella
A
A
Dipartimento di Chirurgia, Ospedale S. Margherita, Università degli Studi, Pavia.
Zambianchi
M
M
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007238:Infarction / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D007422:Intestines / Q000098:blood supply*; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D017567:Karnofsky Performance Status; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life
Infarto intestinale nel paziente geriatrico.